Retroclones

[Morrus]

I want to put together a quick list of currently available D&D retroclones for a short news item. I've not really paid much attention to that market segment, and I thought a news item summarising the options would be cool.

Basically it will be a short item themed on playing older versions of D&D (so it will also include the SRD for 3E, and Pathfinder as "3.75" amongst a non-4E fan's options).

I'm aware of OSRIC (that's 1E AD&D, right?) What else is there? Any OD&D clones?

 

[Traveon Wyvernspur]

Love this thread idea!

[MENTION=50294]Kirin[/MENTION] developed the Old School Hack which seems to be a pretty nice OD&D type of game. So I'd add that to the list.

 

[Morrus]

Love this thread idea!

[MENTION=50294]Kirin[/MENTION] developed the Old School Hack which seems to be a pretty nice OD&D type of game. So I'd add that to the list.

Doh! Of course he did. I was there when we gave him his ENnie! It's not actually a clone, though, is it? Though I'm happy to add an additional section for games inspired by older versions, I was more looking for actual clones.

 

[Tortoise]

Here's a few:

Labyrinth Lord
Swords & Wizardry
Lamentations of the Flame Princess

 

[Philotomy Jurament]

Here's a list. Don't know exactly how up-to-date it is.

 

[Death_Jester]

Don't forget Dark Dungeons it's an excellent BECMI Retroclone.

Dark Dungeons

Or Swords and Wizardry

Mythmere Games Core Rules

 

[Umbran]

Doh! Of course he did. I was there when we gave him his ENnie! It's not actually a clone, though, is it?

It is an excellent game, but it is more like a mutant than a clone.

 

[Technomancer]

Hope it's ok to link to another message board:

Dragonsfoot • View topic - Publishers & Products

 

[Mark CMG]

I want to put together a quick list of currently available D&D retroclones for a short news item. I've not really paid much attention to that market segment, and I thought a news item summarising the options would be cool.

Basically it will be a short item themed on playing older versions of D&D (so it will also include the SRD (. . .)

Thanks! And here's a special EN World coupon for about 75% off (good through Labor Day, Sept 5th) that can be used with your article -

http://www.rpgnow.com/product_info.php?products_id=17705&discount=59614

 

[Whizbang Dustyboots]

You'll need to decide what constitutes "clone" versus what constitutes "inspired by."

OSRIC, for instance, is essentially the AD&D rules, organized a bit better and with product identity stuff stripped.

Castles & Crusades isn't 1E and Pathfinder isn't 3E -- both make a number of changes -- but are clearly able to be played with those games and evoke the spirit of each. I would say that doesn't make them clones, but fellow travelers.

I'd probably opt for an OSR run-down, rather than clones, to avoid this problem. (Lamentations of the Flame Princess isn't considered a clone by a lot of people, but would definitely be OSR, as likely would Dungeon Crawl Classics.)